Ironiclast

While each individual in the band has experienced their own successes, The Damned Things debut CD, which combines their love of classic rock anthems (they sourced their name from a 1977 track by Ram Jam) and powerful melodies with a heavy metal intensity, turns out to be much more than the sum of the separate parts.

"This is an amalgam of three very different bands," explained Fall Out Boy guitarist Joe Trohman, who was first introduced to Anthrax's Scott Ian three years ago, when the two became fast friends and immediately began writing together. "It seemed unlikely, but it turned out we were on the same page musically. We were both interested in putting together a heavy / classic-rock, blues-oriented, riff-based band while trying to stay away from what makes that sound generic and overplayed."

"We're trying not to over-think it," chimed in Scott. "Nobody's arm is being twisted to be here. We're just doing it as we go along, and this is the natural progression. We're able to do things exactly how we want to do them by keeping it simple and comfortable for everyone."

With Joe and Rob Caggiano handling the production duties, the group began writing and recording songs mostly in Brooklyn, Chicago, and Buffalo (where Keith Buckley resides). The template began to take shape, combining those elements of classic rock with the heavier aspects of Anthrax and Every Time I Die, and the hook-laden choruses of Fall Out Boy.

Personnel: Keith Buckley (lead vocals); Joe Trohman (lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals); Rob Caggiano (lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals); Scott Ian (rhythm guitar, backing vocals); Andy Hurley (drums, percussion); Josh Newton (bass)

"The driving force behind the album is Trohman and Ian's mutual love for '70s hard rock and sludge metal."
-ALTERNATIVE PRESS